President Bola Tinubu has formally accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission following the expiration of his second and final tenure.
In recognition of his service, the President has also conferred upon him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed on Tuesday titled ‘President Tinubu Accepts INEC Chairman’s Departure, Bestows National Honour on Him.’
It read, “President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.
“In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
“President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor.”
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as INEC’s 14th chairman for a five-year term.
Following Senate confirmation, he was reappointed in 2020 for another five years now concluded.
Over the decade, Yakubu oversaw the 2019 and 2023 general elections and introduced technology innovations such as the INEC Result Viewing portal.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Yakubu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the privilege of overseeing the commission for two terms.
Tinubu, in turn, thanked him for sustaining Nigeria’s democracy and conducting elections he described as “free and fair” across his tenure.
The President directed that the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, assume the role of Acting Chairman pending the appointment of a substantive successor.
Yakubu’s tenure is the longest since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
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